NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Analysis of complex-type chromosome exchanges in astronauts' lymphocytes after space flight as a biomarker of high-LET exposureHigh-LET radiation is more efficient in producing complex-type chromosome exchanges than sparsely ionizing radiation, and this can potentially be used as a biomarker of radiation quality. To investigate if complex chromosome exchanges are induced by the high-LET component of space radiation exposure, damage was assessed in astronauts' blood lymphocytes before and after long duration missions of 3-4 months. The frequency of simple translocations increased significantly for most of the crewmembers studied. However, there were few complex exchanges detected and only one crewmember had a significant increase after flight. It has been suggested that the yield of complex chromosome damage could be underestimated when analyzing metaphase cells collected at one time point after irradiation, and analysis of chemically-induced PCC may be more accurate since problems with complicated cell-cycle delays are avoided. However, in this case the yields of chromosome damage were similar for metaphase and PCC analysis of astronauts' lymphocytes. It appears that the use of complex-type exchanges as biomarker of radiation quality in vivo after low-dose chronic exposure in mixed radiation fields is hampered by statistical uncertainties.
Document ID
20040087651
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
George, Kerry
(Wyle Life Sciences Houston, TX, United States)
Wu, Honglu
Willingham, Veronica
Cucinotta, Francis A.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of radiation research
Volume: 43 Suppl
ISSN: 0449-3060
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
manned
NASA Discipline Radiation Health
long duration
Mir Project
ISS Project
Flight Experiment

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available